Follow Jesus

Prayer: Erasing shortcuts

Hitching a ride

Prayer: Faith in action

To know or to follow

Prayer: Guarding my steps

Father, I know that many times I make decisions based only on what my eyes can see. Just as Lot saw a land that was beautiful, fertile, and full of possibilities, I am also tempted to choose paths based on appearance, comfort, and immediate opportunities. Forgive me for the times when I considered only the visible benefits and failed to seek Your direction. Give me a sensitive heart to discern not only what seems good, but what is truly part of Your will for my life. Help me understand that the environments I choose to remain in deeply influence who I become. Guard my heart from influences that pull me away from Your presence, and strengthen my faith to remain in places that promote spiritual growth, even when they do not seem the most attractive in human eyes. May I never exchange Your peace for temporary advantages, nor Your presence for empty promises that do not come from You. Father, give me wisdom to recognize the moments when I need to leave behind certain seasons, relationships, habits, or environments. Many times I cling to what I already know out of fear of change or uncertainty. But I know that when […]

The right place

Throughout life, we are constantly called to make choices. Some seem obvious, attractive, and full of opportunities. Others require faith, patience, and trust in God. The problem is that not everything that looks good to our eyes is truly what is best for our future. The Bible shows us this through the story of Abraham and Lot, a narrative that remains extremely relevant for everyone who desires to live according to God’s will. Appearances can be deceiving “Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)” Genesis 13:10 There came a time when Abraham’s and Lot’s flocks had grown so much that the land could no longer support them together. To avoid conflict, Abraham proposed that they separate and gave Lot the opportunity to choose first where he would go. Lot saw a place that, from a human perspective, seemed like the perfect choice. The plain was fertile, abundant, and promising. Everything pointed to prosperity. But Lot evaluated only what he could see. He observed the appearance of the land but ignored […]

Procrastinators

We live in a tired generation. We constantly hear about procrastination, discouragement, and the difficulty of completing even simple daily tasks. Many times, our lives seem organized on the outside, but inside there is an overwhelmed mind with no strength to begin. Getting out of bed feels difficult. Small tasks become gigantic. Simple things remain unfinished and, without realizing it, we accumulate pending matters that increase our anxiety even more. Procrastination is not always born from laziness. Sometimes, it comes from mental exhaustion, emotional overload, and a mind that can no longer handle so many demands at the same time. And perhaps the answer is not in doing more, but in slowing down, breathing, and learning to walk one step at a time before God again. The body stops “For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:14 Our minds were not created to carry everything at once. When we look at a huge list of responsibilities, pressures, and expectations, the brain tends to search for a place of comfort and escape. That is why, many times, we become paralyzed even before small tasks. Not because we do not want to do them, but […]

God doesn’t speak to me

…Really? Many people carry in their hearts the feeling that God is distant or silent. They pray, wait for answers, try to move forward, but seem to hear nothing coming from heaven. Yet, perhaps the problem isn’t the absence of God’s voice, but the excess of noise within us. We live at a fast pace, surrounded by distractions, worries, and a routine that never slows down. And, in the midst of this confusion, we still say that God is too quiet. The truth is that God continues to speak. He continues to guide, teach, and call His children closer. But often, we are too busy to perceive His voice. Inner noise “After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19:12 We live in a generation that hardly ever stops. We wake up thinking about commitments, we go to sleep worried about tomorrow, and we spend the whole day consuming information. The mind never rests. The heart is never silent. Between work, studies, bills, social media, projects, and anxiety, we fill our souls with noise. Then, we look to the sky and ask, “Why doesn’t […]

Prayer: Through the Son

Father, today I stand before You acknowledging that many times I pray without truly understanding the weight of speaking “in the name of Jesus.” Forgive me for the times I have turned prayer into just a wish list or repeated words without depth. I don’t want to use Jesus’ name as a formula, but to live in true alignment with the Son’s will and with what glorifies Your heart. Lord, teach me to pray with sincerity, submission, and dependence. May my words not spring only from my emotions or my interests, but from the desire to live as Christ would live. I want to learn to seek first Your Kingdom, trusting that Your will is perfect, good, and far greater than any plan I could build on my own. Jesus, thank You because it is through You that I have access to the Father. I recognize that I do not come before God through my own merits, but through the grace poured out on the cross. May I never forget that You are the way, the truth, and the life, and that every true prayer first passes through a heart surrendered to Your presence. Holy Spirit, transform my way of […]

“In the name of Jesus”

Every week we talk about a topic and then pray about it. And today, I want to invite you to reflect on an expression that is probably part of almost all your prayers: “in the name of Jesus.” We learn this early on in church. We end our prayers this way almost automatically. But do we understand the true spiritual weight of this statement? Because saying “in the name of Jesus” goes far beyond a religious phrase; it is a posture of submission, alignment, and surrender. Magic formula “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:13-14 Many times, without realizing it, we treat this expression as if it were a spiritual password for God to answer faster or fulfill what we want. A “priority line” in prayer. As if simply adding “in the name of Jesus” to the end of the prayer were enough to validate any request. But Jesus never taught this as an empty formula. Notice the center of John 14: the glory of the Father. Asking in Jesus’ name […]

Prayer: Meet me in the secret place

Father, today I stand before You, acknowledging that many times I have allowed busyness, distractions, and the need for approval to steal from me the value of the secret place. Forgive me for the times I sought appearance more than intimacy, and recognition more than Your presence. I do not want to live a superficial faith, but a true relationship with You, built away from prying eyes and close to Your heart. Teach me once again to return to the secret place. May my prayer time not be a matter of obligation, but of a deep desire to encounter You. May I learn to seek You not only for what You can do for me, but for who You are. Give me a heart that delights in Your presence, that longs to hear Your voice and remain with You even in silence. Holy Spirit, reveal everything that has taken the center of my heart. If there is vanity, spiritual pride, or a need for human validation within me, I ask You: transform me. May I not live to appear spiritual before people, but to be known by You. Form in me a sincere and profound life, aligned with Your will. […]

What God really sees

We live in a world where appearance is often confused with essence. People may seem spiritual, righteous, and aligned with God, but only He knows what is truly in the heart. The parable of the weeds and the wheat confronts us with this truth: not everything that grows together belongs to the same purpose. More than seeming, God calls us to be. And in the end, that is what will make all the difference. Same field, different nature “Let both grow together until the harvest.” Matthew 13:30 Jesus explained that the weeds and the wheat grow together in the same field, sharing the same environment, the same soil, and even the same conditions. To human eyes, it is often difficult to tell them apart. This reality teaches us that being in the same place — in the church, in a Christian community, or in environments of faith — does not mean having the same essence. The weed may even resemble the wheat for a time, but its nature is different. Therefore, the calling is not merely to be present, but to be transformed. God is not impressed by outward proximity, but by inward truth. Essence above appearance “Thus, by their […]

Prayer: Convicts

Father, I know the story of the resurrection, but I don’t always live with the conviction it should generate in me. Today I ask You: transform my knowledge into living faith, because I know that the resurrection is not just an event, but the foundation of my hope and my life in You. Just as the disciples who moved from fear to boldness, I also want to experience this transformation. Many times I let myself be carried away by doubt, insecurity, and the circumstances around me. But I know that Your truth is greater than what I feel. Strengthen my faith so that I do not live guided by what I see, but by the certainty of who You are. I believe that the resurrection of Jesus conquered death and changed everything. I don’t want to live as someone who merely heard this story, but as someone who was deeply marked by it. Generate in me an unshakable conviction, a faith that remains even on difficult days, remembering that death does not have the final word and that in You there is life and victory. Holy Spirit, work within me a mature, firm, and constant faith. May I not waver […]

Between resurrection and conviction

The resurrection of Jesus was not merely an isolated event, but the beginning of a profound transformation in the lives of the disciples. The week following Easter Sunday reveals a process of understanding, faith, and restoration. In that interval, we see how God works in the human heart, even amid doubt, fear, and uncertainty. From confusion to revelation In the first days after the resurrection, the disciples were deeply shaken. Even with the empty tomb, they still did not fully understand what had happened. The pain of the crucifixion was still fresh, and hope seemed fragile. It was in this setting that Jesus began to reveal Himself in a personal and intentional way. In John 20:14–16, Mary Magdalene encounters Jesus, but initially does not recognize Him. It is only when He calls her by name that her eyes are opened. This shows us that the risen Christ continues to reveal Himself in an intimate and personal way. Likewise, in Luke 24:30–31, the disciples on the road to Emmaus only recognize Him at the breaking of bread, a gesture that points to communion and spiritual revelation. These encounters show that faith is born not merely from external evidence, but from a […]

What if…

How many times does the “what if…” paralyze us? “What if I don’t know what to say?”“What if they reject my faith?”“What if I am not prepared?” These questions, although common, cannot become excuses to ignore what God has already called us to. The Great Commission is not a suggestion, just an option presented by God. It is a direct call for all who follow Christ. And this call does not depend on perfection, but on willingness. “Go” is a commandment “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19 Jesus left a clear order before ascending to heaven. He didn’t say “if you want to,” nor “when you feel ready,” but He declared with authority what His disciples should do, seeking empowerment in Him to follow through. This instruction reveals that evangelizing is not an exclusive function of leaders or missionaries, but of every Christian. The “Go” does not depend on context, personality, or the ideal moment; it is an essential part of our faith. This is everyday life. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the […]

Prayer: Transformed

Father, I come before You with gratitude for the new life I have received in Christ. Thank You because the Gospel did not come merely to improve what we once were, but to transform us completely. You did not simply want to patch my failures, but to give me a new identity, a new hope, and a new path through Jesus. Many times I try to live this new life while still holding on to old habits, thoughts, and structures within me. I want to experience Your grace, yet I still carry parts of the old self. Forgive me when I try to place the “new cloth” of Your Word over the old garments of my pride, my sin, or empty traditions. Teach me to allow You to transform my heart completely. God, help me to deeply understand what it means to live the Gospel. Just as Jesus said that new wine requires new wineskins, prepare my heart as well to receive what You desire to pour into my life. Renew my mind, purify my thoughts, and shape my character so that I may live in a way that reflects the new life I have received in You. Lead my […]

The Gospel is not a patch

The coming of Jesus was a turning point in human history. His message was not merely an improvement of the existing religious system, nor simply an adjustment to human traditions. The Gospel brought something completely new: a new covenant, a new way, and a new life for those who believe. Many times we try to live this newness while keeping old structures within us. We want to experience the grace of God, but without letting go of patterns, thoughts, and habits that belong to the past. However, Jesus made it clear that the Gospel is not a patch on an old life, but a complete and true transformation, through a deep pursuit of Him. The mew patch and the old garment “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:16–17 The illustration used in Matthew 9 shows that the message of the Kingdom […]

Prayer: Fruit of Life

Father, today we place ourselves before You, recognizing that You know all things. You know what we were, what we are, and what we will still become. Even knowing our failures, wrong choices, and weaknesses, You continue to call us close. Just as in the beginning, when You placed before humanity the choice between obeying or disobeying, You continue to offer us the path of life. We were not created as robots or forced servants, but as children who are free to choose to walk with You in love. Many times we are like Adam and Eve. We know what is right, yet we are still drawn to what seems easier, faster, or more pleasurable. Our hearts are fragile and easily deceived by our own desires. Forgive us for the times we chose the “fruit” that You told us not to touch. Forgive us for the times we preferred our own will instead of Your direction. God, teach us to choose obedience every day. May Your Spirit give us discernment to recognize the voices that try to pull us away from You. May we remember that Your commandments were never meant to limit us, but to protect us and lead […]

Eating the forbidden fruit

From the beginning, God knew everything. He knew what had been, what is, and what was yet to come. He knew the lies we have already told, the sins we have hidden, and even the mistakes we will still commit. So the inevitable question arises when we read Genesis: if He knew that Adam would fall, that Eve would be deceived, and that the serpent would be there, why did He place the tree in the garden? This is one of humanity’s oldest questions. Some even ask: Was God inconsistent? Selfish? Did He create an unfair test? But perhaps we are looking at the story through the wrong lens. The tree does not reveal a divine flaw; it reveals the depth of God’s love. Love requires a choice “And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:16-17 The presence of the tree reveals something fundamental: God created children, not robots. Love without the possibility of choice is not love—it is slavery. For obedience to have value, the possibility […]

Strengthened by prayer

Father, I come before You, bowed down, recognizing that I do not have enough strength in myself to face life’s battles. Thank You for calling me close every day, not so that I would be ashamed of my limits and weaknesses, but so that I may find strength in You. May I seek You more and more, finding each day a deeper intimacy with You and the peace that only Your presence can give. I want to go deeper, God. Many times I want to move forward through my own efforts instead of through prayer that is born from a surrendered heart. Forgive me for trying to live the Christian life based on my own abilities and strategies rather than in constant dependence on You. Teach me that bent knees are not a sign of weakness, but of spiritual wisdom—where I find clearer direction than in any human plan. Holy Spirit, dwell in my heart and teach it to pour out worries, fears, and plans at Your feet. May I not seek only quick answers, but Your face and Your presence. May I not be led by my feelings or my own will; I want to live in constant communion […]

On your knees

We live in a generation that desires quick results, supernatural experiences, and remarkable stories to tell. We want miracles, open doors, and powerful testimonies. But often, we are not willing to go through the process that produces them. In the Kingdom of God, our knees take us farther than our feet. The spiritual life is not sustained by haste, but by dependence. It is not about chasing opportunities, but about pouring ourselves out in His presence. Before great public victories, there are secret encounters with God. And it is there, in the place of prayer, that everything begins to be transformed. The pressure that produces oil “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5–6 “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). The prayer of the righteous is powerful because it is born from surrender. We want oil, but we forget that oil is only produced when the olive is pressed. A testimony is not born from comfort, but from process. In 2 Kings 4, the […]

Prayer: The full joy of presence

Father, I thank You because Your joy does not depend on my circumstances, nor on the places, achievements, or failures of this world. Even when my heart feels heavy or when situations change, You remain unchanging, and Your joy is available to me—not by merit, but by Your grace and mercy poured out over my life. May my joy be rooted in You and in You alone. Lord, help me understand that true joy is not a passing feeling, but the fruit of Your presence, and I want to live seeking that presence. Even when my feelings change and emotions fluctuate, keep my faith in You unshaken, for You are the source of joy that never runs dry. Renew in me the joy that comes from communion with You and from recognizing that You are greater than any situation. I ask that You fill me with this joy every day, even in the midst of difficulties. May I experience the contentment that is born from trusting You, knowing that You are with me in every step of the journey. May the joy I receive from You also be strength for my days, encouragement for my walk, and a testimony of […]

Circumstantial joy

“You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 We live in a world that associates joy with places, people, positions, and achievements. We believe we will only be happy when something changes: a relationship, an environment, a job title, or a season of life. But this way of thinking carries a silent trap. If joy comes from external sources, it will always be unstable. When we expect others to make us happy, we are asking of them something they may not even possess. We demand that people, churches, jobs, and situations supply a need they were never meant to fill. This expectation generates frustration, abandonment, and a cycle of empty new beginnings. Scripture confronts us with a deeper truth: true joy does not arise from circumstances, but from the presence of God. If we do not believe this, we fail to access what has already been offered to us. The temptation to give up “For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 We tend to give up when something stops making emotional sense. This is one of the greatest […]

Prayer: Close to Christ

Father, we place ourselves before You, recognizing that many times, when we fail, we allow shame to speak louder than Your grace. Instead of running into Your arms, we hide, believing that our mistakes have made us unworthy of Your presence. Today, however, we choose to hear Your voice calling us by name, just as You called Adam in the garden, reminding us that Your love has never stopped seeking us. Forgive us for still believing, even subtly, that we are accepted because of what we do and not because of what Christ has already done. Free us from a mindset of merit, from the attempt to negotiate dreams with You through works, and teach us to rest in the truth of the Gospel—that we were loved before any action of our own. May the cross once again be the center of our hearts and our faith. Lord, help us to live according to the true order of love. May we not seek You in order to be accepted, but run toward You because we have already been received by Your love. May our prayer, obedience, and surrender flow from gratitude, not fear. Teach us to live as children who […]